Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Tim. 4:12

Sunday, November 06, 2005

Crossing the Finish Line...

Two days ago I participated in my first race. It was five miles long, and I zipped right along until the final mile. Then I tried to take a hill too fast for my sagging energy level; I wheezed like a sick accordion. My lungs screamed, “Quit this insanity!” My running partner called out, “Slow down, or you won’t be able to finish.” I followed his advice—and I finished in good time.

When you begin a project, don't quit halfway through. Stir up your original enthusiasm, and complete the project.

Do you have unfinished papers for school, chores at home, or craft projects you started? Did you make a promise—like visiting a nursing home weekly—but you haven't gone in a month? Good beginnings are great, but if you don't complete it, you won't gain any benefit. Neither will anyone else. Excuses like "I meant to do that last weekend, but I got invited to the mall" don't count.

We begin projects with enthusiasm and a rush of emotions. Someone wants our help, and we promise without thinking. Then, when the mood passes, we regret starting the projects. As our enthusiasm dies, the unfinished projects collect dust.

"I suggest that you finish what you started a year ago, for you were the first to propose this idea, and you were the first to begin doing something about it. Now you should carry this project through to completion just as enthusiastically as you began it." (2 Corinthians 8:10-11 NLT)

How can you prevent having unfinished projects?

"Don't begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first getting estimates and then checking to see if there is enough money to pay the bills? Otherwise, you might complete only the founda­tion before running out of funds." (Luke 14:28-30 NLT)

Do you have enough time, money, and energy to com­plete the project? If not, wait for a better time. Think carefully before saying you'll do something. Then be a person whose word is true, someone who can be counted on. Finish what you start.